PORT ANGELES – Although it’s not official, a “virtual Veterans Affairs clinic” may open as early as mid-April on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Marty Melcher, a Clallam County nurse practitioner who works for the VA, would provide primary medical care to enrolled veterans two days a week at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, OMC Commissioner Jim Leskinovitch announced Tuesday.
The hospital would make two examination rooms and space for records available to Melcher, he said.
Melcher also probably would spend one day each week at the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Health Clinic west of Port Angeles and at the Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles clinic on Ediz Hook, Leskinovitch said.
In addition, Melcher would provide home health services, he said.
The VA is exploring arrangements with the Makah tribe in Neah Bay, the Quileute tribe in LaPush, Forks Community Hospital and Jefferson Healthcare hospital in Port Townsend, Leskinovitch said.
But the Department of Veterans Affairs won’t announce the news until agreements are reached with the partners.
